July 13, 2014

UN has 'moral responsibility' to tackle Haiti cholera: Ban

The United Nations has a "moral responsibility" to help impoverished Haiti end a devastating cholera outbreak some blame on peacekeepers, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says.

Ban spoke to The Miami Herald ahead of a visit to the Caribbean nation due to begin Monday during which he is set to visit families affected by cholera.

The United Nations has so far denied any responsibility over the outbreak that has killed more than 8,000 people and infected more than 700,000.

There had been no cholera in Haiti for at least 150 years until it was allegedly introduced by Nepalese UN peacekeepers sent there in the wake of the devastating January 2010 earthquake.

The source of the cholera epidemic was traced to a river that runs next to a UN camp in the central town of Mirebalais, where Nepalese troops had been based. The strain of cholera is the same as one endemic in Nepal.

"Regardless of what the legal implication may be, as the secretary-general of the United Nations and as a person, I feel very sad," Ban told the Herald.

"I believe that the international community, including the United Nations, has a moral responsibility to help the Haitian people stem the further spread of this cholera epidemic."

The United Nations has so far failed to offer an apology or compensation for the outbreak, even as three different lawsuits have been filed in US courts.

"The diplomatic difficulties surrounding this issue must be overcome to ensure the Haitian people that the epidemic can be stopped in the shortest possible time frame and pay full compensation for the damages suffered," the UN's human rights expert on Haiti Gustavo Gallon said.

During his visit, Ban plans to focus on getting donors to contribute to a $2.2 billion, 10-year cholera elimination campaign because Haitians have "suffered a lot" from the epidemic.

He said Haiti must address the root causes of cholera -- poor sanitation -- to prevent another epidemic.

One of the sorrows of being 73 is that you now know all too well that the wisdom of your fellow-elders is largely bullshit; like you, they're just lucky dopes. Dr. Ban has just turned 70, and he ought at least to have the wit to seek advice from smarter young advisors.

So Ban wants "donors to contribute" to getting rid of cholera in Haiti. That's a genteel way of saying he wants someone else to pay for the damage the UN has done to a wretchedly poor country.

Crowdsourcing may be a cool way to fund a new gadget, but in this case the UN continues to shirk its responsibility.

And Haiti needs to "address the root causes of cholera"? Well, for the benefit of the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population, here's the address:

Dr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, New York, NY, USA.

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The United Nations has a "moral responsibility" to help impoverished Haiti end a devastating cholera outbreak some blame on peacekeepers, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says.

Ban spoke to The Miami Herald ahead of a visit to the Caribbean nation due to begin Monday during which he is set to visit families affected by cholera.

The United Nations has so far denied any responsibility over the outbreak that has killed more than 8,000 people and infected more than 700,000.

There had been no cholera in Haiti for at least 150 years until it was allegedly introduced by Nepalese UN peacekeepers sent there in the wake of the devastating January 2010 earthquake.

The source of the cholera epidemic was traced to a river that runs next to a UN camp in the central town of Mirebalais, where Nepalese troops had been based. The strain of cholera is the same as one endemic in Nepal.

"Regardless of what the legal implication may be, as the secretary-general of the United Nations and as a person, I feel very sad," Ban told the Herald.

"I believe that the international community, including the United Nations, has a moral responsibility to help the Haitian people stem the further spread of this cholera epidemic."

The United Nations has so far failed to offer an apology or compensation for the outbreak, even as three different lawsuits have been filed in US courts.

"The diplomatic difficulties surrounding this issue must be overcome to ensure the Haitian people that the epidemic can be stopped in the shortest possible time frame and pay full compensation for the damages suffered," the UN's human rights expert on Haiti Gustavo Gallon said.

During his visit, Ban plans to focus on getting donors to contribute to a $2.2 billion, 10-year cholera elimination campaign because Haitians have "suffered a lot" from the epidemic.

He said Haiti must address the root causes of cholera -- poor sanitation -- to prevent another epidemic.

One of the sorrows of being 73 is that you now know all too well that the wisdom of your fellow-elders is largely bullshit; like you, they're just lucky dopes. Dr. Ban has just turned 70, and he ought at least to have the wit to seek advice from smarter young advisors.

So Ban wants "donors to contribute" to getting rid of cholera in Haiti. That's a genteel way of saying he wants someone else to pay for the damage the UN has done to a wretchedly poor country.

Crowdsourcing may be a cool way to fund a new gadget, but in this case the UN continues to shirk its responsibility.

And Haiti needs to "address the root causes of cholera"? Well, for the benefit of the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population, here's the address:

Dr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, New York, NY, USA.